Third-generation lobster hatchery technology. The lobster cube
A brief history and why
After 20 years of working with hatcheries, it became clear that we needed a better system and one that did not have the disadvantages of the previous tray and up-weller systems. Advances in technology have allowed us to develop a system that requires less energy and less input from hatchery staff.
The lobster cube was designed firstly to improve the conditions for the individual lobsters and secondly to greatly improve the ease of operation. With the lobster cube we’ve increased the number but reduced the size of the holes in the base to help prevent tail nipping and also reducing the water pressure from small ‘jets’ arising from the holes which could damage moulting lobsters.
Improvements in the feed cycle to prevent lowering oxygen levels the system uses a new and innovative recycling mechanism to re-oxygenate the water during feeding cycles
More versatile and easier
The system comes in two main parts; the lobster cube upwelling unit and the base. This system can be dismantled quickly and simply for cleaning. The components within the system are acrylic and polypropylene – thus reducing PVC.
The standard Lobster Cube holds 20 trays (plus lid) and 2000 juveniles. The system can be upgraded to suit the growing needs of a hatchery to a 30 tray system and 3000 juveniles or in high production hatcheries a 40 tray system with 4000 juvenile lobsters all using the initial Cube bases.
What we’ve learned over the years is that multiple smaller systems are more suited to hatcheries which are involved in wild stock enhancement. The acrylic section locking rod and additional trays can be purchased as an upgrade kit reducing the necessity for more Lobster Cubes. The system has one valve to balance water flow in the feeding cycle for up to 10 systems and can be carried out by operating manual or motorised valves.
the New Trays
A new feature of the lobster cube is three different tray sizes which enable hatcheries to grow on juvenile lobsters to larger sizes. The size of the compartment that a lobster grows in is important to its development and growth.
One of the biggest improvements we’ve made is to simplify the trays which not only makes them easier to fill but also so much easier to count the individual lobsters within the trays.
The lobster cube trays holes increase from 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm in diameter to allow larger food particles to be fed as the lobster grows.
